Accra, May 21, GNA - This year's Accra Milo Marathon which takes off in Accra on Sunday, July 1 has been christened The African Unity Milo Marathon.

The event, under the umbrella of the Ghana At 50 Secretariat is being organized by the Dansoman Keep Fit Club in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ghana Education Service with Nestle Ghana Limited being the major sponsors.

More than 5,000 athletes from Ghana, Kenya, Ethiopia and other African Countries are expected to participate in the 42.2 kilometre race, which begins from Dansoman through some principal streets of the Metropolis and end at the Independence Square. The Under-15 event will start from the El-Wak Stadium to also end at the Independence Square.

Mr Herve Duranton, Managing Director of Nestle Ghana Limited who announced these in Accra on Monday, said Nestle has been a major sponsor of the Accra Milo Marathon which started as a fun event some 21 years ago, and has grown to become the biggest single sporting event that rivals with the nation's passion, football. He expressed happiness that the role which the company has been built in the country has gained recognition from the government which is amply demonstrated by the placement this year's event on the agenda of the Africa Union.

Mr Duranton advised the youth to engage in sports not only to make them healthy but also to improve upon their social skills as well. Mr Osei Bonsu Amoah, Deputy Minister for Education, Science and Sports commended Nestle Ghana Limited for transforming the event to fit into the African Unity Milo Marathon which is growing bigger and better He said it is gratifying that the event is stretching its tentacles to cover the whole of Africa and bringing the youth of Africa together to compete in the true spirit of African Unity.
Winners in both the men and women segments of the mass sports will receive 5,000 dollars with a trophy, certificates, and Milo products while the Boys and Girls in the Under-15 segment will receive 500 dollars school bursary and a trophy.